CATAMARAN OCEAN CRUISE TOUR, Food & Drinks included!

A catamaran ocean cruise off Tenerife is one of those rare half-day plans that feels like a real escape. You leave from Puerto Colón, head out toward La Gomera, and you have time to swim or snorkel at Playa de los Hippies, with wildlife spotting baked in.

I like that the trip mixes wildlife watching with an actual beach-and-water break, not just a long boat ride. I also like the value angle: food and drinks are included, and the cruise keeps the energy moving with tapas, snacks, and fruit onboard.

One drawback to think about, especially if you hate uncertainty, is that whales and dolphins are wild animals. You are not promised sightings, and a small number of people have raised concerns about passenger counts on certain sailing days due to last-minute rescheduling.

Key things to know before you go

• Whale and dolphin spotting out toward La Gomera gives you a real chance at pilot whale sightings and dolphin groups, if conditions cooperate
• Playa de los Hippies stop means you get more than viewing time, you also get a swim and snorkel window
• Food and drinks included includes tapas, snacks, fruit, and a selection of drinks during the cruise
• Pickup offered in south Tenerife helps you avoid the stress of figuring out timing and transportation on your own
• Small group on paper with a maximum of 18 travelers, but I would confirm headcount if you are sensitive to overcrowding
• Motion sickness help is available, including ginger mentioned in feedback for people who get seasick

A 3-hour catamaran day from Puerto Colón, aimed at La Gomera and Playa de los Hippies

This is built as a tight, do-able ocean day. In about three hours, you cruise out from Club Náutico Puerto Colón de Adeje, go in the direction of La Gomera with a focus on whales and dolphins, then swing by Playa de los Hippies for a water break and relaxing time.

The reason this works so well is the pacing. You are not spending the whole day just waiting on the open water. You are actively looking for wildlife, then you get a concrete payoff with swim and snorkel time, plus lunch-style snacks and drinks.

Another smart part of the design is the “two-worlds” feel. First you are out at sea looking for marine life. Then you shift to a beach setting where you can step off the boat, get your bearings, and enjoy Tenerife’s coastline from a different angle. It makes the tour feel fuller than its short duration.

Getting to the boat: pickup, meeting point, and the smooth start

The cruise is anchored at Club Náutico Puerto Colón de Adeje, Av. de Colón, in Costa Adeje. That is your start and end point, so you are not dealing with a weird drop-off somewhere else far from where you started.

Pickup is offered, and the trip includes south Tenerife pick-up and drop-off for ease. The practical detail that matters is that pickup requires you to add your hotel, telephone number, and email during booking. If you are staying in a neighborhood with limited signage or you use a shared pickup area, double-check the pickup information you submit so the driver can find you fast.

The tour is listed as near public transportation, so if you decide not to use pickup, you still have a plan. Also, the tour is in English, which helps if you want clear guidance during the wildlife and snorkeling segments.

One more practical note. The maximum group size is stated as 18 travelers, so on paper it is a more intimate sailing. Still, I would treat this as “small-ish” rather than “private.” One piece of feedback claimed there were more people onboard than expected on a specific day, tied to weather rescheduling. If group size is a big deal for you, ask the operator to confirm the passenger count for your sailing date.

Stop 1 toward La Gomera: pilot whales, dolphin chances, and crew-led scanning

Once you leave Puerto Colón, the cruise heads out to the direction of La Gomera. The whole point of this first phase is wildlife spotting, with whales and dolphins as the target.

In feedback, the best sightings described were pilot whales, including reports of separate family pods and at least one mother with a small calf. That is the kind of detail that tells me the crew is not just “hoping for the best.” The tone from the most positive comments focuses on professional guidance, with the crew knowing how to interpret what they were seeing and how to share it clearly.

Dolphins came up often too, but with an important reality check. Sightings are not guaranteed because you are looking at wild animals in real ocean conditions. If you go with the mindset of enjoying the experience even if the wildlife is limited, you will have a better time.

When the boat does spot wildlife, you also get the best part of this type of catamaran cruise: the sense of being close to the ocean without being stuck on a tiny platform. The vessel is spacious, and the overall mood from feedback is that the crew keeps people organized while still letting you enjoy what you are seeing.

Stop 2 at Playa de los Hippies: swimming, snorkel time, and a coastline break

After the sea watching, you move to Playa de los Hippies. This is where the tour turns from “search mode” into “relax and play” mode.

The tour includes time to swim and snorkel, plus you can simply hang out and watch the view of Tenerife’s coastline and the mountains from the water’s edge. If you are the type who gets restless after 20 minutes of stillness, this stop is a big quality-of-life upgrade.

From feedback, people enjoyed the bay time and reported seeing fish, which makes sense if the crew positions you where the water and seabed support some snorkeling. Even if you do not snorkel, you still get that beach break feeling, and it helps you reset after the open-water portion.

Two practical tips here:

• Bring whatever makes water time easy for you. If you plan to snorkel, bring a comfortable setup in a bag you can keep dry until you are ready.
• Give yourself a minute after you step in. Saltwater and changing temperatures can feel sharper than you expect, especially if you went out into the wind.

Food and drinks included: tapas, fruit, and the way lunch actually feels on a boat

This is a big reason the cruise is popular for a short day. You get a selection of drinks, and you also get a lunch spread built around tapas, snacks, and fruit.

What I like about this setup is that it does not feel like you are stuck with “a light snack.” The more positive feedback described the food as better than expected, with ample portions and a good choice of tapas. Another detail that stood out was that people felt the drinks service was generous, with no strict limits described.

A fun finishing touch also came up. One review mentioned a honey rum shot at the end of the trip, which is the kind of small ritual that makes a boat tour feel like an event, not just transportation.

The real test for food on a cruise is whether it matches the pace of the day. Here, the food and drinks are tied to the sea stops, so you are eating while you are still in vacation mode. It also makes the Playa de los Hippies stop more satisfying because you have more than just scenery, you have actual fuel and something to sip.

Price and value: what $108.37 buys in Tenerife time

At about $108.37 per person for roughly three hours, you are paying for three things at once: time on a catamaran, guided wildlife time, and food and drinks included.

If you compare this to doing each part separately, the math tends to work out better. A whale-watching style excursion without food can easily cost similar or more, and adding lunch-style snacks onboard is usually where you get real savings.

It also helps that the departure is from Puerto Colón in the Costa Adeje area. That reduces friction. You are not stacking extra transport costs or burning time to reach a far-away pier.

My value advice is simple: if you want both wildlife watching and a water break, this is a solid way to package it. If you only care about seeing whales and dolphins, you might prefer a longer or more targeted wildlife-focused outing, since sightings are never guaranteed and short trips can limit how long you can track animals.

Comfort on the water: seasickness, ginger, and practical prep

A catamaran cruise can be smooth, but the sea can still surprise you. This is where preparation matters.

One of the most specific comfort tips from feedback is that the crew offers ginger to help with motion sickness. That is a practical, low-effort solution, and it is the kind of onboard kindness you notice fast when you are feeling queasy.

So what should you do if you are sensitive?

• Eat lightly before boarding, then use the onboard snacks when you feel ready
• Consider motion-sickness options if you know you react to boat rides
• Stay aware of wind and movement. The boat ride can feel different depending on where you are on deck

Also, the crew’s role matters here. Several comments praised the staff as attentive and helpful, including for families and kids. That kind of service usually translates into better crowd management on a windy day, which makes everyone calmer.

Who this cruise is for, and who should think twice

This tour fits best if you want a balanced, easy day:

• You want whale and dolphin watching without committing to a full-day outing
• You want time to swim or snorkel rather than just look from the boat
• You like the idea of tapas, fruit, and drinks included during the ride

It is also a good choice for people staying in south Tenerife who want pickup and a straightforward meeting point and return.

It might not be the perfect fit if:

• You are extremely strict about small-group headcounts. The stated maximum is 18, but at least one sailing raised concerns about higher-than-expected numbers due to rescheduling. If you book expecting a very small group, ask for confirmation on your date.
• You are going primarily for guaranteed dolphin sightings. You might see plenty, or you might see fewer than hoped. The ocean decides.

Should you book this catamaran ocean cruise from Tenerife?

I would book this if you want a fun, short Tenerife ocean experience with real variety. The combination of open-water wildlife scanning, an actual swim and snorkel stop at Playa de los Hippies, and included food and drinks is the recipe for a good half-day.

I would also book it if you like guided structure. The crew gets credit for professionalism, clear explanations about what is being seen, and a calm approach to sharing the experience.

The main reason to hesitate is the usual one for marine wildlife: sightings are not guaranteed. If seeing whales and dolphins is your only goal, you might feel better with a backup plan for another ocean day. If you can enjoy the ride, the beach break, and the included lunch-style spread even when wildlife spotting is limited, this cruise is a strong match.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran ocean cruise?

The tour lasts about 3 hours.

Does this tour include pick-up and drop-off in Tenerife?

Yes, pick-up is offered and south Tenerife pick-up and drop-off are included for ease. You need to add your hotel, telephone number, and email address when booking for pickup details.

What food and drinks are included?

Food and drinks are included. The cruise offers a selection of drinks, plus tapas, snacks, and fruit for lunch.

Are whale and dolphin sightings guaranteed?

No. Whales and dolphins are wild animals, so sightings cannot be guaranteed, although the crew will do their best to find them.

What is the maximum group size?

This activity lists a maximum of 18 travelers.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The tour is offered in English.

What is the cancellation policy if weather affects the trip?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The experience requires good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. Confirmation is received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.